Incentives are needed to transform transport industry

2 Nov 2012

The South African authorities should consider introducing more incentives which will encourage transporters to replace older commercial vehicles with newer, safer and more environmentally friendly models, according to Clinton Holcroft, managing director of leading trailer and truck body building company, Serco.

Holcroft was at the 2012 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, Germany, in October where the Euro VI engine was being introduced in Europe from next year in a continued drive to reduce vehicle emissions.

Considering the high number of old, heavy vehicles on South African roads, incentives to replace these vehicles would have the added positive spin off of improving road safety and fuel economy with the newer models, which was made possible with the latest technology being introduced.

Holcroft returned from the IAA Show with several interesting solutions which Serco was looking forward to presenting to its customers. Very evident was the high standard of the vehicles on show and the emphasis placed on energy efficiency and saving.

Temperature control

"Food safety in Europe is at an advanced stage. Great care is required of operators to ensure product is transported at the correct temperatures, making use of load dividers and telematic systems to keep track of this. South Africa's legislation is very stringent, particularly with the new Consumer Protection Act, which I believe makes it vital for transporters to have tight temperature control over the products going into their vehicles," said Holcroft.

Another area of importance was load securing. "With an increasing number of our customers introducing trolleys, we were particularly interested in concepts available in this area," he said. Other trends were aero dynamic packages being offered to reduce fuel costs and carbon footprints, increasing use of electronic braking systems and telematics to improve route management, safety and maintenance control, and the installation of cameras or park distance controls to assist drivers with docking and reversing.

Holcroft said a major development for Serco this year was the purchase of 13.4ha in Johannesburg to accommodate future expansion. "We are presently drawing up plans for a new factory which will improve capacity and efficiencies further. This is a major milestone for us and we are looking forward to this exciting project which will take place over the next 12 months and lift our infrastructure to a new level."